What science classes should I take together if working full-time?

Sizzline · Jan 20, 2014

You'll probably want to check with your school to see if any of the sciences are prerequisites for another. At my school, you have to pass A&P1 before you can take A&P 2, and must have passed both of those before you can take Microbiology. I found A&P1 to be the hardest, personally; I would not have done well with a second science class in the same semester. I could have easily added a second science onto my A&P2 semester.

Lexicon · Jan 20, 2014

I'm a pre nursing student at LIU Brooklyn. This semester I'm taking General Bio 1, an English class, and an orientation seminar class (which lasts only half a semester), and I'm doing them two days a week.
I'm trying to plan ahead my schedule with these science classes because i've never taken any before. Here's the prereqs I have left:
SCIENCE:
General Bio 2
A&P 1
A&P 2
Micro
General Chem
Organic Chem
NON-SCIENCE
Two more English classes
Two History classes
Two Philosophy classes
Algebra
Statistics
Develop. Psych
I don't know what goes good with what, but everyone is definitely telling me not to take A&P I & II in the same semester so I'm avoiding that. However, I figure I have to take at LEAST one science class a semester, right?

So I think the main problem is that you say you're working full time while trying to take these classes. Do you absolutely have to work full time or can you cut back to part time? If so, I would take general bio II, A&P I (if you can take it without completing bio II first), one english, and stat. Then I would take A&P II, gen chem, other english, and one history. Then micro, first history, algebra, and first philosophy. Then orgo, last history, last philosophy, and psych. And double check that you don't need to take intro psych prior to developmental (because at my school you did). This is just what I would do knowing how much work needs to get into each science pre-req since I have completed them all. I hope this helps! Feel free to message me if you have any questions! Good luck!

sacha bell · Jan 20, 2014

Just balance it out like one or two non-sciences, one science and a math, at least that's how I worked through my prereqs...you really just have to see what works best for you. I will try to get the non sciences out of the way asap. It's a drag trying to finish those up while taking your other science prereqs, because you really must do well in those, they're what count above the others (not saying that none of the other classes don't). Just know nursing school is very competitive and mediocre grades wont make you stand out. Try your best, set up meetings with a counselor to help set you up on a plan that works best for you, and good luck, don't give up, you can do it!

7237dallas · Jan 20, 2014

I work full-time and have 2 smaller children, so I took a science class paired with an easier class online. Like I took Chemistry and then online Sociology. This semester I'm taking A&P 1 and Human Growth online. If you don't have kids then you could easily add more classes too. I could've but didn't want to be completely stressed out and both my kids are in school, 3rd and kindergarten, so I have their homework too:) Good luck!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2014

I agree with the poster who said you need to check and see what is a prereq for what. At my school you cannot take micro until you have completed A&P I and you need A&P I before II. I had A&P II and micro together last semester and it worked fine. I found that the 2 overlapped quite frequently. This semester I am taking Advanced Human Physiology with 3 other classes but none are sciences. This is a hard class and this is my last semster of prereqs. Nursing in the fall!!!

jnichox2 · Jan 20, 2014

This is a good question. Im not sure if your going to be registering for your classes next semester on a full-time or part-time basis. But I would also suggest taking one science course, algebra or stats, humanities, and a social science. Remember to go at your own pace. Also take a look at the pre-reqs for these courses because at my cc you cannot take A&P I & II together; one is a pre-req for two.

This semester I am taking General Biology 1, Nutrition, College Algebra, and English Composition 2. Best of luck to you! :up:

RunBabyRN · Jan 20, 2014

I wouldn't suggest taking more than once science at a time. Try to do school part-time if you HAVE to work full-time. Otherwise, you're sacrificing your GPA, which is NOT good when applying to nursing schools.

Try taking one science (and like others have said, see what the prereqs are, you may need to take them in a fairly specific order) and a non-science course. Don't overload yourself.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Jan 20, 2014

I would also suggest only taking one science at a time and starting with general chem as all other sciences will be easier to understand after chem. I would then take general bio as it will also help with A&P I and make it a bit easier. I think A&P I is the hardest since it can be kind of a shock at how much you have to memorize.

skzfoz · Jan 20, 2014

Biology will teach you enough Chemistry to get you through Biology, usually right near the beginning. So it's not absolutely necessary to take Chemistry at the same time, but I'd say it's best to get it done early so that you fully understand the chemical aspects of the biology.